Marques Bolden - No new information

[pnkranger]

But I believe he's going to shock the predictors and come to OU.

Also, if he did come, we would be a sweet 16 contender again next year IMO. That's a stacked roster.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

He would really make a great addition to the team next season ....

______________________________________________
OU MEN’S BASKETBALL / PROJECTED 2016-17 ROSTER
12 Scholarship Players (Allowed 13)
As of November, 2015

Seniors (3 Scholarship Players)
> Jordan Woodard ... 6-0, 187, G ... Arcadia, OK (Edmond Memorial HS)
> Akolda Manyang … 7-0, 243, C … Rochester, MN / Indian Hills CC
> C.J. Cole ... 6-7, 245, F ... Sperry, OK

Juniors (2)
> Khadeem Lattin … 6-9, 208, F … Houston, Texas / Redemption Christian
> Darrion Strong … 6-1, PG … Coffeyville, CC

Sophomores (4)
> Dante Buford … 6-7, 221, F … Greenville, SC / Arlington County, Florida
> Jamuni McNeace … 6-10, 215, C … Allen, Texas
> Rashard Odomes … 6-6, 200, G … Copperas Cove, TX
> Christian James … 6-4, 218, G … Bellaire, TX

Freshmen (3 so far)
> Kristian Doolittle ... 6-6, 215, F ... Edmond, OK (Memorial)
> Kameron McGusty … 6-5, 170, G … Katy, Texas (Seven Lakes)
> Matt Freeman … 6-9, 220, F … Auckland, New Zealand

 

[okhoops918]

I wish! But I don't think so

 

[usedtobe1]

I don't think anyone knows much about Bolden's mind set so it's mostly guessing. It seems to me KU and Duke are recruiting him the hardest. My guess based on nothing substantial would be Kansas, but he probably won't make up his mind until the end of the 1Q of 2016.

 

[Larry72]

The corrupt Kansas program has not got the 6 9" Chiek Diallo ? eligible yet. He was supposed to be a one and done guy. If he does not play this year he may come back?

 

[sperry]

The corrupt Kansas program has not got the 6 9" Chiek Diallo ? eligible yet. He was supposed to be a one and done guy. If he does not play this year he may come back?

No chance.

 

[bgrch1350]

Its hard to know how hard we are recruiting him. We quit recruiting him once before.

 

[usedtobe1]

The corrupt Kansas program has not got the 6 9" Chiek Diallo ? eligible yet. He was supposed to be a one and done guy. If he does not play this year he may come back?

Diallo is having the same problem getting his prep school classes approved as Dante Buford had last year. Diallo gets to practice and travel with the team, but just can't play in games. Buford wasn't even allowed to practice with the OU team until 2nd semester last year.

Kansas recruit Cheick Diallo has been granted a waiver that will allow him to travel with the team, though he has not yet been cleared to play, coach Bill Self said Friday.

The No. 4 Jayhawks are traveling to Hawaii to play in the Maui Jim Maui Invitational starting Monday. Self said in a release that Diallo had been cleared to travel with the team but the school has not yet received word on whether he will be eligible to play.

Diallo has been practicing with the Jayhawks while the NCAA Eligibility Center determines his status.

The five-star prospect from Mali, a country in West Africa, attended Our Savior New American, a private high school in Centereach, New York. But the legitimacy of the school's classes has come under scrutiny by the NCAA, and Alabama and Oklahoma State have had recruits from there ruled ineligible. As of earlier this month, the NCAA was still examining transcripts and other information from Diallo.

 

[BigTime]

Its hard to know how hard we are recruiting him. We quit recruiting him once before.

What would make you think the staff would stop now? OU is firmly in his top 8 and he visited here. I am SURE they are after him hard.

 

[usedtobe1]

What would make you think the staff would stop now? OU is firmly in his top 8 and he visited here. I am SURE they are after him hard.

I think OU is still recruiting Marques hard, but a lot depends on what kind of feedback he is giving the Sooner staff. It seems to me that OU's toughest competition is either Duke or KU. I've just not heard as much buzz about Kentucky who just signed 5 great kids in the early signing period. Duke also had a great signing class which included Harry Giles who plays Bolden's center position but I'm sure Bolden could slide to the PF spot.

On the other side sits Harry Giles, considered by many to be the best high school player in the world. At 6'11 with a 7'3 wingspan, Giles is equipped with elite athleticism, a non-stop motor and a developing offensive arsenal. He projects as an impact defender and rebounder from day one, someone who should be great at blowing up pick-and-rolls and giving Duke second chance opportunities on the offensive glass.

That's why I lean to KU as OU's biggest rival for Bolden. They need a big man, Bolden had a great visit there, and KU would play some road games close to his hometown. I have no idea where Alabama stands with MB with their coach Avery Johnson being the wild card.

Here's an interesting article on Duke and Kentucky's recruiting classes, and both teams were in Bolden's Top 5: Dule vs. Kentucky recruiting classes

 

[AdaSooner]

What would make you think the staff would stop now? OU is firmly in his top 8 and he visited here. I am SURE they are after him hard.

bgrch1350 is right, based on a report I saw, Bolden contacted McGusty prior to his last visit to ask why he hadn't heard from OU.

Our coaches are back on him hard now. But assuming the report was accurate, that hasn't always been the case.

 

[Seymore Cox]

Going to Kentucky.

 

[CoachTalk]

Ou went saw him play today. Not giving up.

 

[pnkranger]

I still believe we get him. It sounds like he really likes McGusty, and we're close to home. Great scheme for a guy like him. He can be the man here from day one.

 

[BigTime]

Ou went saw him play today. Not giving up.

I would certainly hope not!

 

[kbsooner]

I would say we are top 4, going to be hard to beat out the others...

http://www.scout.com/college/basket...q-a-with-five-star-2016-center-marques-bolden


Q&A with five-star 2016 center Marques Bolden
Evan Daniels
EVAN DANIELS
Yesterday at 1:07 PM

DUNCANVILLE, Tex. -- Although five-star big man Marques Bolden didn't play in the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, he did stop by the event and caught up with Scout for a Q&A on the latest in his play and recruitment.

Evan Daniels: How’s the season going so far?

Marques Bolden: It’s going pretty good. We let one game get away from of us already. We shouldn’t have. We are doing pretty good. What about you individually, how is it going? I’m just trying to work on a lot of stuff, trying to get ready for college. It’s been going pretty good. I’ve been putting up pretty good numbers against some alright people, although not the type of people I’m going to be playing against the next level.

You said you’re working on some stuff, what are you focused on trying to improve?

Really just becoming more versatile and stretch the floor instead of just running to the block. But like I said in the summer, my hook shot. I’m still working on that. That’s the main thing.

What about the recruiting process, you didn’t sign early. Where do things stand?

I’m getting closer to making a decision. It’s not really as slow as it was before. I’m really getting close to making a decision.

Who is it really down to at this point?

Kentucky, Duke, Kansas, TCU and Oklahoma Do you think you’ll do any more visits? Probably not.

When you say you’re getting close, are you thinking a month? Two months?

I guess you could say a month or four weeks or so.

What sticks out about Kentucky?

Just really the way they do things and the success they’ve had with the previous players at my position. That’s really the biggest thing to me.

What about Duke?

Duke is just playing and learning from one of the best coaches to ever coach the game and just coming in with a great recruiting class and being able to play together and help them win.

What has Kansas’ pitch been to you?

Really just being able to come in and play. They are losing a couple of guys so they are just looking for a post presence to come in and play.

What stands out about Oklahoma?

Really just the chance to start something new instead of being just another one of those guys, just being able to come in and start your own thing.

I know you visited those other four schools, have you been by TCU?

I went there last year, but I haven’t been by since.

Is there a draw to stay home?

There is, but then again there’s not. I just want the best situation for me.

 

[DenverSooner]

He says these things matter for the various schools:

Kentucky - what they have done with other guys at his position

Kansas - the way they do things, history, and opportunity to play immediately.

Duke - learning from a great coach

OU - starting something new

TCU - close to home


I just want to point something out about OU:

First it is reasonably close to home. Second, OU produced Blake Griffin. Perhaps not as many guys as Kentucky but Blake is pretty impressive. Third, Kruger is held in similar esteem to Coach K, Self and Calipari. Perhaps all of those guys, especially Coach K, are perceived at a slightly higher standard but Kruger is highly regarded in the profession. He has coached in the NBA. It isn't like Kruger is Travis Ford. Fourth, he can and will almost certainly start immediately at OU. Finally, only at OU and TCU can he start something new.

I hope our coaches sell that to him. He can have everything he likes about his final five schools at OU.

 

[BoulderSooner]

he would be such a good add for next season

 

[skyvue]

I get that we're not at the level the big 3 are on, but "start something new"? Perhaps Coach K and his staff can fill Mr. Bolden in a little bit. We've had a good deal of success, and he could help us build on it, for sure, but I would say we're closer to the big 3 on his list than TCU is to us.

 

[usedtobe1]

CoachTalk said OU was planning to watch him play this past weekend, and this excerpt confirmed it:

On Saturday, Bolden looked like somebody that everybody involved with will want to remain involved with. With assistants from Kansas and Oklahoma looking on he went for 23 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks while leading his team to a home win.

Showing off impressive footwork, great hands and soft touch, Bolden scored on an assortment of spins, fakes and made excellent use of his left hand.